A message from The CFT about COVID-19:
Our country continues to face unprecedented times which has been filled with challenges and disruption for the majority of this year. The world around us as we know it has changed and we have all adapted to new ways of life practicing social distancing, self-quarantining and experiencing both national and local lockdowns.
Despite the global pandemic, there are still children in this country who need foster placements and our charity cannot ignore these requests from local authorities. Therefore, even as the world around us continue to change on a daily basis, we are still working tirelessly to find and support families who want to help children and young people in care. We are continuing to accept new fostering applications and begin assessments virtually in line with government guidance. If you are interested in becoming a foster carer, please get in touch for more information about how to get started and the measures we are taking to keep assessments progressing during this time.
We also want to say a huge Thank you to all of our existing stakeholders, staff and colleagues who have been fantastic in adapting to this pandemic. The way in which we are currently working has changed, however as an organisation, and despite the significant barriers that COVID has put in place, we have pulled together and will continue take every step to support all of our stakeholders, the best we can. In preparation for when it is safe to return to the working environment, we have put a number of safety measures in place including ensuring all of our offices are COVID secure, our community based workers have the correct PPE available and all of our staff have attended a return to work presentation about how to operate safely within their roles.
We want to say a particularly big thank you to all of our Foster Carers for their dedication and commitment to supporting our children and young people during a particularly challenging and difficult time… you guys are amazing! We are continuing to monitor government guidelines and review our strategies to ensure that all of our carers, staff and children are kept as safe as possible during these times, whilst still feeling well supported within their roles. As always our helplines remain open 24/7 for any fostering-related queries, including those which arise as a result of coronavirus.
During this year we have produced this page with some information about the Coronavirus, as well as some tips, hints and useful resources for keeping foster families safe, healthy and occupied. If you have anything that you think would be useful to share with others, please share these with us.
We urge everyone to follow the government advice as it is issued and remain vigilant in checking for symptoms and preventing the spread of the virus. We know that this is a difficult time for all, but as a country, we can all do our part to come together, protect our NHS and save lives.
Thank you to all of your for everything you are doing. Stay Strong! Stay Safe!
The Coronavirus Explained & What You Should Do
Source: Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell
Keeping Safe
Coronaviruses are a family of viruses which may cause illness in animal or humans.
Several coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases, for example, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
The most recently discovered coronavirus originated in Wuhan, Hubei province in China, causing coronavirus disease COVID-19.
Viruses (like COVID-19) usually spread by inhalation, or physical contact. When a person infected with COVID-19 coughs or exhales, small droplets from the nose or mouth are spread into the air. Others can catch COVID-19 if they breathe in these droplets and as such it is important to practice social distancing and keep a safe 2 metre distance between you and those around you. It can also be caught by touching an infected surfaces where the virus droplets have landed on objects and surfaces and anyone touching these objects or surfaces and then touching their eyes, nose, or mouth may catch the virus. This is why it is important to avoid touching your hands, eyes and mouth where possible and ensure that you are regularly washing your hands with soap and water (or an alcohol based hand sanitiser) for at least twenty seconds.
The most commonly recorded symptoms of COVID-19 are reported to be Fever, Tiredness, A persistent and new dry cough and Shortness of breath, breathing difficulties. However, the above symptoms do not necessarily mean that you have the illness. Symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don’t feel unwell.
If you are concerned that you may have the illness, you can use the online symptom checker to find out what you should do next.
You can read more about the virus, how to prevent it spreading and how to protect others on the NHS website.
Children’s guide to stay safe and protect other people and how to help them make the best of their time at home from Children’s Commissioner. Click here to visit the page.
Keeping Busy
The coronavirus is having a significant impact on everyday life and now all families across the country are having to new face new challenges with all UK school being closed to the mass majority. We are incredibly grateful to all of our foster carers who provide support and stability to children and young people in care during these unprecedented times, and we will continue to do our best to support you during this time.
As many of our children and young people are no longer at school, we are sharing some awesome list of ideas which can keep them engaged and educated whilst learning at home.
Home Learning Resources
Primary School
- Starfall -It’s a free public service to teach children to read.
- FUNBRAIN -Free educational games.
- Coolmath4Kids -Make maths enjoyable for people who thought it couldn’t be fun.
- Unite -Abundance of books that celebrate their languages and cultures and cultivate a lifelong love of reading.
- Science Kids -Science Kids is the online home of science & technology for children around the world.
- e-learning for kids -It’s a free, fun, curriculum based quality primary education to all children worldwide.
- ABCYa -ABCya provides over 400 fun and educational games, who understand that children learn better if they are having fun.
- SplashLearn -The Perfect Home Learning Companion for K-5 Maths.
- National Geographic Kids -Lots of learning, games and online competition.
- MathGameTime -The best math games and homework help online.
- Literactive -They are the provider of reading material for Pre-school, kindergarten and grade 1 students available online.
- Kids Learning Tube –Kids Learning Tube educates kids through music and animation in a fun and unique approach to learning.
- Scholastic –Day-by-day projects to keep kids reading, thinking and growing.
- Crash Course Kids – Crash Course is all about gradeschool science.
For 10+
- Brain Pop –Helping Kids to understand their world.
- Tynker –Coding Made Easy
- iReady –An integrated assessment and learning system.
- Beast Academy (Math) – A complete maths curriculum.
- Khan Academy –A personalized learning resource for all ages.
- Udemy – The leading global marketplace for learning and instruction.
- All in one home school –Students will develop their logical thinking skills while engaged in fun games.
- Curiosity Stream –Award winning documentaries.
- Travel and leisure –Virtual Tours to 12 famous Museums.
Fun Resources
Primary School
- Highlights Kids –Bundle of online videos on activities and jokes.
- Switch Zoo Animal Games –Play Animal games.
- Turtle Diary –Fun Educational and Online games for kids.
- Storyline Online –Online stories.
- PBS Kids –Online videos and games.
- Seussville –Online story books.
General Knowledge
For 10+
- Outschool –Explore fun, social, and safe learning experiences—taught over live videos.
- Creative Bug –Online art and craft classes.
- Discovery Education –Providing high-quality, dynamic, digital content to primary and secondary schools across the United Kingdom.
- Science Channel –Learn about outer space, new technology, earth science basics, & more.
- Sci Show Kids –Explores all those curious topics that make us ask “why?”
- National Geographic Kids –Videos made by curious kids, featuring awesome animals, cool science, funny pets, and more.
- Free School –A safe and friendly place to expose children to famous art, classical music, children’s literature.
- Geography Focus –It’s all about geography.
- The Brain Scoop –Explore amazing things that they have in the collection.
- Sci Show –Seven calendar days for seven different scientific subjects.
- Geek Gurl Diaries– Collection of videos and interviews to know ‘How to started with your own technology’?
- Mike Likes Science – Science inspired music videos.
- Science Max –The exciting new series that turbocharges all the science experiments you’ve done at home.
- Soul Pancake –Brain batter of videos every week about art, culture, science, philosophy, spirituality and humor.
Local Authorities
From a Local Authority? Read about how The CFT can support you in keeping children & young people safe.
Where We Work
The CFT is a National Fostering Charity with regional offices across the UK covering large geographic areas.
Who We Are
The CFT is a Children’s charity and Independent Foster Agency with a wealth of history and heritage dating back more than 70 years.
